Atlanta United 2 battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw against New York City FC II on Friday night at Icahn Stadium, clinching an extra point in the standings with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory. Goals from Luke Brennan and Efraín Morales kept the 5-Stripes in the fight, while goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert secured his third career shootout win with a crucial save.
The action kicked off early, with Atlanta pressing high from the start. In the 18th minute, Brennan led a counterattack, laying it off to Nick Firmino before heading home Firmino’s perfectly placed cross for the opening goal. However, NYC responded quickly, leveling the score in the 23rd minute through Ronald Arevalo after a rebound from Hibbert’s initial save.
In the second half, Atlanta was inches away from reclaiming the lead. Firmino rattled the crossbar in the 62nd minute, and Alan Carleton’s follow-up shot was saved by NYC goalkeeper Luis Barraza. The momentum shifted when NYC’s Camil Azzam Ruiz found the back of the net in the 67th minute, giving New York a 2-1 lead.
But Atlanta had other plans. Deep into stoppage time, Morales rose above the defense to nod home a Matías Gallardo corner in the 94th minute, forcing the match into a penalty shootout. In the shootout, Hibbert’s save on Taylor Calheira proved decisive, as Atlanta converted all their kicks to claim the extra point.
Atlanta United 2 is now preparing for their next clash, which will be faced by rivals Huntsville City FC at Fifth Third Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 15.
